Graduate Research Assistant in Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma

Graduate Research Assistant in Geography and Environmental Sustainability - for graduating seniors!

The University of Oklahoma is pleased to announce to graduate research assistantship opportunities in the field of conservation science and biogeography in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability (DGES) at the University of Oklahoma (http://geography.ou.edu/).

1. Adaptation Strategies for Species and Ecosystems: We seek applications from motivated students engage with scientists at the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory (http://www.oknaturalheritage.ou.edu/ ) and NatureServe (www.natureserve.org) to study the vulnerability of natural ecosystems to stresses imposed by climate change and other factors in the southern Great Plains of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Funded by the South Central Climate Adaption and Science Center, this project will document and map climate change vulnerability of major grasslands and wetlands and natural resource management decisions. Habitats will be evaluated using The NatureServe Habitat Climate Change Vulnerability Index and products will be publicly accessible over NatureServe Explorer and ArcGIS StoryMaps.
Qualifications: B.S. or B.A. degree in geography, GIS, biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field, and coursework and practical experience with GIS.  Applicants should possess proficiency in GIS, strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrable critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and motivation to complete project tasks and meet deadlines. Required Experience: creating and managing maps and data in ArcGIS Online.  Desired skills: experience creating ESRI Story Maps, spatial and tabular data management and manipulation using R or Python.

2.  Transportation and Biological Conservation: I seek applications from motivated students who wish to pursue a career in conservation and natural resource management with a specific interest in future work with state and federal agencies or in the private sector. The successful applicant will work with a team of dedicated of transportation biologists who, contracted by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), address conservation issues that include compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The GRA will work closely with these biologists in the Natural Resources program and the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory in ongoing efforts to integrate and manage conservation data and participate in field studies. The position is 12 months, renewed annually. This programmed is for those seeking a Maters of Science degree. Funding for this position is from a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
Qualifications: an B.S. or B.A. degree in geography, Geographic Information Science (GIS), biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field, and coursework and practical experience with GIS. Applicants should possess strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrable critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and motivation to complete project tasks and meet deadlines.

How to apply
The deadline for full consideration is January 15, 2021. For more information, visit https://www.ou.edu/ags/geography/degree-programs/graduate-program

For more information, please contact our Director of Graduate Study Dr. Laurel Smith (laurel@ou.edu)